Biology Dept. offers Nov. 6, 2009 talk by Matthew Carlson on flower coloration of the Arctic mustard

Friday, Nov. 6, 3:30-4:45 p.m.
ConocoPhillips Integrated Science Buildingn (CPISB), Room 120

As part of an Arctic Biology: Ecology to Genome exchange course, UAA and Santa Clara University students explored floral pigmentation in the highly variable Arctic mustard, Parrya nudicaulis. Anthocyanin pigments and their metabolic precursors are known to be associated with cold and drought stress, as well as pollinator attraction and herbivory.

We evaluated if the color variation is due to loss-of-function mutations or due to differences in gene regulation. Pollinator and herbivore preference and induction of chemical defense studies were used to evaluate the potential for balancing selection in the maintenance of flower color variation in this species.

Parking is free of charge on the UAA campus every Friday. No-host refreshments will be provided.